Richard John Pfiffner, 63

Richard John Pfiffner was born on June 18, 1952 at St. Michael’s Hospital in Stevens Point and died early morning on March 28, 2016 at the same hospital where he was born.

He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Richard was 63 years old.

Rick grew up on Gilkay Street in Stevens Point and attended St. Stephen’s Catholic School. He collected baseball cards and comic books, played the clarinet and rode his Schwinn bicycle all around town. He enjoyed reading Hardy Boy detective books and was awarded the Parvuli Dei medal in Boy Scouts. He loved going on road trips to visit family and County Stadium to watch the Milwaukee Braves play baseball. Rick attended Pacelli High School and enjoyed wrestling, tennis and riding his motorcycle.

After high school, Rick went on to college at UWSP where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree; with a double major in Political Science and History. While attending college, Rick met and married his wife Judie M. Glodowski. They were married at St. Peter’s on June 2nd, 1973 and had three children.

Rick worked 33 years for the railroad in Stevens Point where he was known as “Piffy.” He was a Conductor for Soo Line, Wisconsin Central Ltd., and most recently Canadian National. “Piffy” retired from the railroad in May 2012.

Throughout his life, Rick was an outdoors enthusiast. He spent countless hours toiling in his garden where both vegetables and flowers would thrive. He loved to fish–and particularly fly fish–and many days he could be found hiking through a creek whipping a dry fly over the stream bends that held the trout. “Fish on,” he would say when he caught a brown or “brookie” trout. After enjoying the moment, he would release the fish back to it’s habitat as he would often say “love ‘em and leave ‘em”; regarding of his catch-and-release style of fishing.

Rick also enjoyed many other outdoor activities including skiing, golfing, bird watching, camping and harvesting wood from his land.

Rick was an outgoing, social and personable man who was helpful to friends and family. He appreciated the time he was given in life and was always tried to make the special moments with family and friends last. His dream of living in the country came true when he bought a house outside of Amherst for the last 8 years of his life; where he was able to pursue his passions for the outdoors and spend time with family. There was nothing Rick loved more than a good game of cards, listening to the Brewers or enjoying a beer with friends.

Rick is survived by his wife Judie; his mother, Therese (Rogoski) Pfiffner; brother, Paul (Sue) Pfiffner; and his children: Benjamin (Amy) Pfiffner of Wausau, Emily (Christopher) Hikade of Kampala, Uganda, and Josef Pfiffner of Stevens Point. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Brett, Alicia, Kaylee, Jacob, Lucas, Camden, Beckett, Shaw and Gable. Rick will also be missed by his two beloved dogs named Rosie and Boone.

He is preceded in death by his father George A. Pfiffner.

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 am, Monday, April 4th, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church with Rev Jerzy Rebacz presiding. Visitation with family will precede Funeral Mass at the church from 8:30am – 10am. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Frank Hornberg chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Audubon Society. Online condolences may be made at www.bostonfuneralhome.net.